Her Stolen Glory, My Silent Grave

The party was about to start when my brother, Clyde Shaw, kicked open the door to my room. He looked around the room but saw no sign of me, so he shouted my name loudly, " Tessa! Where did you go? You're no longer a child, so why are you playing hide-and-seek and throwing a tantrum?"

Usually, whenever my family came looking for me, I would joyfully rush to greet them at the first opportunity.

This time, I didn't. Because at that moment, I had a heart attack and collapsed on the bathroom floor.

Clyde didn't take a single step inside. He had mysophobia, so he wouldn't sit on any couch I had sat on for a long time, let alone enter my room.

He took out his phone to call me, but there was no answer.

Annoyed, he returned to the living room downstairs and spoke to our parents. "Tessa isn't in her room and didn't answer my calls. She's always disappearing like this, waiting for us to beg her to come back."

"We've spoiled her," Father said coldly. "This time, no one's allowed to go looking for her. Let her calm down on her own, and she'll come back tomorrow."

My adopted sister, Rebecca Lawson, walked over and gently held Father's arm. With a concerned expression, she said, "Dad, don't say that. What if something really happened to Tessa? Maybe I should send her a message. You know I'm the one who worries most about her."

She lowered her gaze, playing the role of a thoughtful and sensible younger sister perfectly.

My father, Jasper Shaw, patted her shoulder approvingly. "You're the most sensible, always thinking of the family. Unlike Tessa, who only acts willfully and causes trouble!"

…

After an unknown amount of time, I was drowsily awakened by the vibration of my phone. I struggled to open my eyes and saw a message from Rebecca appear on my phone.

"Tessa, you're the bride-to-be at the engagement party, so why haven't you shown up yet? Oh, I almost forgot!

"The engagement party has turned into my celebration party. Yves just gave me roses. Come quickly and see how pretty they are!"

Following that was a photo. In it, the banquet table was laid with exquisite-looking dishes and a champagne tower that shimmered golden under the lights. Everything looked so perfect and luxurious.

At the center of the photo, my fiance, Yves Gilbert, was presenting a bouquet of bright red roses to Rebecca. His gentle gaze toward her seemed almost overflowing.

My parents stood nearby, cutting the cake, while my brother was helping to mix drinks. Each of them was smiling so brightly, as if they were a family who left no room for anyone else to join in.

I was barely hanging on due to my heart attack earlier.

When I saw the text, everything went black before my eyes, and I couldn't even struggle since the last bit of my strength was gone.

I lay there, feeling forgotten in the bathroom and as though I was one big joke.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp ache in my heart, and I used my last bit of strength to dial for help. First, I tried Clyde, but he didn't answer. Then, I dialed my parents, yet they still didn't answer.

As I held onto my last hope, I called Yves.

This time, the call connected. The noisy background of the party flooded through the speakers first.

I reflexively forced a smile, but before I could feel moved by Yves answering the call, his reprimands came over the phone.

"Tessa, have you kicked up enough of a fuss? Must you act up at this time and upset everyone?"

I gripped the phone tighter. As I spoke, my voice was so weak that it was barely audible. "Yves, I just fainted in the bathroom. I feel so unwell… Can you… take me to the hospital?"

He seemed momentarily stunned, but then said in his usual cold tone, "Stop being dramatic. I know you're upset that the engagement party turned into a celebration party today, but you can't ruin the party by acting out now."

"I didn't…"

"Hurry up and apologize to Rebecca. Don't disappoint us any further."

He didn't even give me a chance to explain before casually hanging up the phone.

As I listened to the busy tone on the other end, my chest felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

But Yves, I no longer had a future…

I leaned against the wall, struggling to stand before inching my way downstairs step by step.

In the living room, my family surrounded Rebecca as if she were the center of the universe. She wore an expensive, exquisite couture dress, and her makeup was flawless. She looked as proud as a peacock while receiving everyone's praise.

No one noticed me, because they didn't even look my way. I was like an outsider, unable to blend in with their celebration.

The party had already started, and the table was a mess, yet no one had saved me any food.

I thought of going to the kitchen for something to eat, but Mother called out to me at that moment.

With a glass of red wine in her hand, she approached me and said patronizingly, "Tessa, you're back just in time.

"Go to the kitchen and make some of your sister's favorite muffins. She was just eating and kept saying she loves the muffins you make. Make some for her breakfast tomorrow."

I looked at her. My lips moved as if to speak, but no sound came out.

Mother glanced at me, and her smile instantly froze. She lowered her voice, her tone full of warning as she said, "What's with the long face? You can't even fulfill such a simple request from your sister?"

"And that makeup of yours makes you look like a dead person. Who are you trying to show it to? Stop with your pity act, and don't mention your so-called terminal illness anymore.

"You'd better behave today, lest you ruin everyone's mood. If not, I'll kick you out."

At that moment, I swallowed back the last bit of my urge to struggle and tell them I really had a heart attack.

After all, if I said it, they would see it as an attention-seeking stunt. I didn't want to turn myself into a bigger fool.

"Okay." I nodded lightly and turned toward the kitchen.

I opened the fridge and saw it was packed with nothing but the best ingredients prepared for the party.

I took out flour, eggs, and milk. With practiced, numb movements, I began making Rebecca's favorite muffins.

I only had three days left to live. Since that was the case, what was the point in arguing?

All they wanted was a gentle and virtuous fiancee, an obedient and sensible daughter, as well as a clever and well-behaved sister.

I would give them exactly that.

As for my feelings, my pain, and everything about me… it didn't matter anymore.

After all, I was going to die anyway.